EAST LANSING, Mich. — City of East Lansing officials would like to provide an update on the status of the Abbot Manor apartment complex, which was vacated last week due to unsafe living conditions.
The building owners will be required to obtain a building permit for necessary repairs. A building permit will be issued upon submittal of a building permit application and an approved plan designed by a licensed architect or engineer with a State of Michigan seal. The plan will identify the repairs that will be required to make the building structurally sound for occupants. The plan will identify all areas that need repair, including walls, ceilings, floors and the roof. A water and mold remediation report will also be required to assist in identifying areas of concern.
During construction and remediation, periodic inspections will be conducted by City of East Lansing building and fire inspectors to ensure all needed repairs are made. Upon final approvals from all applicable inspectors and the submittal of any additional documents requested, occupancy will be granted and tenants will be allowed back in the building.
Local management of the building has been cooperative with the requests of building and fire officials, who have been working to evaluate the situation further.
“This situation is a perfect example of why the City conducts rental inspections. The health and safety of our residents is of utmost importance,” said East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas. “We will continue to work with the building’s owner and management to ensure the structure is safe prior to permitting occupancy.”
BackgroundCity of East Lansing building and fire inspectors determined last week that the Abbot Manor apartment complex, located at 910 Abbot Road, needed to be vacated due to unsafe living conditions.
After a large piece of drywall fell in one of the units on the night of Saturday, March 26, a resident called the East Lansing Fire Department. The following Monday, March 28, City officials inspected several units in the complex and discovered mold, falling drywall and leaking water and water damage throughout the building.
Following the inspections, it was determined that additional rain, at a minimum, could cause more drywall to fall. City officials were also concerned about the integrity of the electrical and fire systems in the event of a heavy rain, which was in the forecast for the evening of Wednesday, March 30. On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 29, property management was given 24 hours to have all occupants out of the building.
During the annual inspection of the building in January, a City inspector did document water stains in three areas of the building and listed 16 different violations. A re-inspection was scheduled for March 31. It appears that, since the January inspection, the conditions became worse due to heavy snowfalls followed by warmer temperatures.